And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:9-10
I don’t mind saying that as I sit down to write this month’s installment, I’m stuck. I’m stuck because we are in the midst of the Easter season where it is our Christian endeavor to share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection, but by the month’s end, we will have celebrated Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. There is so much liturgical and theological fruit to be gleaned from the fields of faith that I cannot possibly think of a way to cover it all in one page of the newsletter. So, let’s stick with the chief purpose for all Christians and continue the proclamation of the resurrection.
As we navigate our current times here in Chapin, we soon see a community that is growing by leaps and bounds. Our small community is one of the fastest growing areas of the state. As we learned during our Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit, we can expect greater housing development and economic expansion in the times ahead. “What has this got to do with the resurrection” you may ask? Well, again as we found out during our Fresh Eyes Summit, over 63% of the people who live within fifteen minutes drive time from St. Jacob’s are not affiliated with any sort of church or religious entity. That’s a lot of people, approximately forty-eight thousand!
As Jesus told the women who came to the tomb on that first day of the week, he tells us also. “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” The key to this verse is that Jesus is sending his people into the world to share the Good News of God’s saving grace through Christ our Lord. Hear again the first four words Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.”
It is common knowledge that the reason Christians today are not very good at evangelism (sharing the Gospel) is because they are apprehensive in speaking about faith issues with others, especially strangers. But this is exactly what Christ calls every Christian to do. And since God calls us all to be evangelists, we need not be afraid. Even if someone turns you away, you have still planted the seed of God’s Word. Imagine how it would have been if those women who first encountered the risen Lord Jesus kept the news to themselves. We might not be here at St. Jacob’s or even have a church at all. We might not have the fellowship of other believers, or dear friends whom we enjoy seeing each week in worship. We might not be sharing the Sacrament of Holy Communion, or participating in our Sunday schools, Bible studies, and VBS.
Well, if we are not sharing the Good News of Jesus with our community, then there are over forty eight thousand unchurched people who do not realize these blessings that many of us take for granted. If we don’t share the Gospel with others, we also are not following Jesus’ command to tell others. Faith, love, and hope we have in our Lord compel us to tell others, not just during the Easter season, but during all times and seasons.
As Pastor and Shepherd for St. Jacob’s, I am working on developing ways that we might learn together how to be more effective in the mission of evangelism. It begins with knowing the story, and then developing confidence in telling the story to others. As St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “…we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” The treasure is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The clay Jars are our fragile and imperfect human bodies. God has entrusted to us the mission of His Gospel and will not allow us to fail, so there is no reason to feel apprehensive, uncomfortable, or afraid. Yes, it is awkward at first, but it doesn’t take long to realize that you can do this with God’s help, and He will help you.
Once we embark on this mission, the “stuckness” will soon fade. When we become more proficient in our evangelism, our congregation, as a whole will become energized and refreshed by the power of the same Gospel which we share. So hear again the words of Jesus on the first day of the week. ““Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers…” Invite them to St. Jacob’s and here they will encounter the power of the risen Christ,
Grace to you and peace,
David Nuottila
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted May 15, 2023 By adminAcolyte Training
Posted May 13, 2023 By adminAcolyte training for all acolytes will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 1:30 P.M immediately following the congregational dinner. All acolytes should attend, even if you have been serving for a while. We will be reviewing several items that need refreshing and taking measurements for new acolyte robes. Parents/grandparents, please do your best to have your acolyte present for this training. There are no plans for a make-up date and we need to get the order in for the robes as soon as possible.
Confirmation Public Examination Day – May 21
Posted May 10, 2023 By adminIn preparation for her public Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation) Isabelle will have her Public Examination on Sunday, May 21 during a congregation luncheon immediately following worship. Everyone is invited to share a time of fellowship and good food and support Isabelle as she demonstrates what she has gleaned from her study of the Scriptures and Luther’s Small Catechism. Public Examination is a traditional Lutheran practice for confirmands just prior to making their public affirmation of faith on their confirmation day, which this year will happen on Pentecost Sunday, May 28th.
This is a very important step in a young Christian’s life as they take their place among the adult membership of congregations. It is also an important event for congregations as confirmed youth are invited to serve the church in new and important ways. Isabelle’s confirmation day is an important part of her faith life and an important day in the life of St. Jacob’s as we share in the promise to grow in faith and life together. Please consider attending the luncheon on May 21st in support for Isabelle and celebrate with her this milestone in her young life.
Choir Notes
Posted May 8, 2023 By adminMusical Mondays- Handbell Day camp
The youth handbell choir will be working hard this summer and having lots of fun during Musical Mondays. We will work on music for the church year, build skills as ringers and learn new techniques. We will end with a concert for the congregation.
Musical Mondays will take place from 9:45 to 12:30 throughout the summer. Any youth who have completed 4th grade and would like to join the handbell choir for the upcoming year are invited to attend. Please email Angela Nuottila at stjacobsnalcmusic@gmail.com if your child or grandchild is interested in joining our choir.
I am looking for volunteers to provide lunch each week for the youth, currently five kids. If you would be willing to sign up to provide lunch, please call the church office and give Jean your contact information (I will be away the first two Sundays in May). I will get in touch with you when I return.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Posted May 7, 2023 By adminWe wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms here at St. Jacob’s, along with all the women who have shone motherly love to the children and families of our congregation. God has blessed us with the love of so many nurturing and caring women. Mother’s Day will be recognized here at St. Jacob’s during our worship service at the time of the children’s sermon on Sunday, May 14th.
Calling All St. Jacob’s Youth
Posted May 5, 2023 By adminYou are invited to participate in the Flood Bucket Mission Event at Advent Lutheran Church in King’s Mountain on May 20th. Several of the Mission Region Youth groups will be participating and it will be a great day of service to our neighbors in need. There is no cost for this event and it is guaranteed that it will be a good time. Join the fun! we will also be planning a few fun events for the summer so stay tuned.
Lutheran Women’s Mother–Daughter–Friend Brunch
Posted May 4, 2023 By adminThe Mother-Daughter-Friend Brunch was a big success. Our guest Speaker Mr. Glen Ward was very good and we all enjoyed his inspirational/humorous talk. The food was delicious and the fellowship was great. Thanks to all the ladies for their help and support. No meeting in May. Enjoy your summer.
NALC Carolinas Mission Event
Posted May 4, 2023 By adminThe Carolinas Mission region is hosting an event similar to the one last May in which we assembled health kits for the disaster response warehouse in King’s Mountain, NC. At this year’s event, volunteers will assemble flood buckets. As a part of the project, St. Jacob’s is collecting pairs of dishwashing gloves and scrub brushes. Our goal is 100 pairs of gloves and 100 scrub brushes by Sun day, May 14.
We also would like to have volunteers from our church family to participate in the event at Advent Lutheran Church in King’s Mountain. It will be a day filled with plenty of fellowship, music, fun, and of course, good food. You can drop off your donations of gloves and brushes in the designated boxes on the stage in the fellowship hall. Please consider attending the event at Advent Lutheran Church and help us help others.
UP AND GOING
Posted May 3, 2023 By admin22 members and guests gathered at 10 am on Thursday, April 13 in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a Chair Yoga class led by Ms. Cindy Smith. For 30 minutes, she relaxed our minds and strengthened our bodies. She taught us new techniques and reminded us that stretch techniques learned long ago can easily by converted into chair exercises rather than floor exercises. All enjoyed our chair yoga class. Devotions were given by Helen L. Lindler. They were based on Psalm 51- “Create in me a clean heart”. She read this writing by Henry Van Dyke. “Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. Business was conducted. Thanks were given to all from Lutheran Hospice and SC Hospice for the beautiful Easter Bags. They were distributed by Hospice workers to Hospice patients as a tribute of God’s love for them.
Lunch consisted of a variety of salads, with lots of side dishes and delicious desserts. The next Up and Going Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 11th at 11am. We will meet at the Cha pin Community Theater for a tour of the facility, then go to the Fellowship Hall for Lunch. Lunch will con sist of sandwiches, side dishes and desserts. Bring whatever you would like for sharing. Time for additional planning for the August 4 Churches Meeting, hosted by St. Jacob’s. Bring your ideas. Please pray for our members as many are sick or have family sickness. Thank you.
Pastoral Devotion for May – The Emmaus Road
Posted May 1, 2023 By adminRead Luke 24:13-35
The road to Emmaus, as traveled by two disciples, was one of abandoned hope and broken hearts. Early in the week they greeted Jesus as their king. Days later, Jesus was crucified. Instead of their King’s triumph, they witnessed a horrible defeat. And so they walked home heartbroken, yet they were not alone. Many of us have experienced such a road. We know heartbreak and grief. Some can recall wondering if they would ever again experience joy. This is precisely the point when we ought to recognize that feeling that we too are not alone. Jesus is near.
As the two disciples walked together, the risen Christ joined them and taught them that God’s intent went far beyond the pain of the present day’s cross. Jesus helped them recognize that out of darkness, God brings light. Out of despair, God gives hope. Through the risen Christ, God raises the dead to life. Then finally, as the reach their destination, Jesus is revealed to them in the breaking of the bread.
For us today, Jesus is revealed in the very same way. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ opens our minds that we might encounter him. Through the bread that is broken and the wine that is poured, the risen Lord Jesus comes to us with God’s forgiveness and love. At some time, we all experience the grief of the Emmaus Road. Yet, we know Christ is near. This is the Easter message, the resto ration of hope, the forgiveness of sins and the joy of salvation. It is the assurance that in Christ, life conquers death and we are never alone. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Prayer: Holy God, we thank you for your grace, which comes through Christ our Lord. Amen.
